The luxury cruise industry mourns the loss of Larry Rapp, a true leader, mentor, and inspiring soul who left an indelible mark on the industry. Larry passed away after a brave battle with acute leukemia, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished.
In an unexpected turn of events, the port of Kiel witnessed the arrest of two crew members from separate cruise ships, the MSC Euribia and the MS AIDAnova. The federal police, conducting routine checks of passenger and crew lists, discovered arrest warrants for a 33-year-old North Macedonian and a 55-year-old Turkish national. As a result, their journey came to an abrupt end, and they were swiftly transported to prison, where they will serve a total of 905 days behind bars.
The highly anticipated construction of Mein Schiff 7, the latest addition to the TUI Cruises brand, has been underway at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, since June 14, 2022. This new vessel aims to increase the fleet's capacity following the retirement of the former Mein Schiff Herz (now Marella Voyager) in April of this year. With a construction timeline of less than two years, Mein Schiff 7 is rapidly taking shape, bringing excitement to cruise enthusiasts worldwide.
The Human Resources department plays a crucial role in the cruise ship industry, serving as the core of the company's onboard operations. Its main responsibility is to ensure the continuity of sustainable business operations while promoting a safe, fair, and equal treatment of all crew members. While some HR personnel may prioritize protecting the company's interests, there are many dedicated individuals who genuinely strive to support and advocate for the well-being of the crew members.
Situated 600 miles off the Ecuador coast, the Galapagos Islands is the best vacation spot for lovers of wildlife and enthusiasts of nature. The volcanic islands feature some of the rarest plant and animal species, and these are ones that you won’t find in other parts of the world. The archipelago is wealthy in flora and fauna that has held captive many scientists and researchers.
On June 8, 2023, the cruise ship MSC Euribia was christened in Copenhagen, and the honor of being its godmother was bestowed to the iconic Sophia Loren. This marked the 19th time that the legendary film diva had christened a cruise ship for MSC Cruises, solidifying her status as a record godmother in the maritime industry.
Hurtigruten Norway, renowned for its historic mail route, celebrates its 130th anniversary this year while embarking on an ambitious mission to create the world's first zero-emission ship. The visionary "Sea Zero" initiative aims to revolutionize shipping by developing innovative, emission-free solutions. After a year of intensive research, Hurtigruten Norway has unveiled concrete plans for the first zero-emission mail ship, which will connect 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes by 2030.
Royal Caribbean Group is taking significant initiative towards reducing its environmental impact. This summer, the company plans to conduct tests on two of its ships in Europe, Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex and Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas, using sustainable biofuel as an alternative to traditional fuels. This initiative aims to gather crucial data and insights on biofuels' capabilities and assess the supply chain infrastructure.
Starboard Cruise Services, a subsidiary of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has announced an exciting partnership with Blue Dream Cruises, a prominent Chinese cruise operator. This milestone collaboration marks a significant step forward in the cruise industry, as Starboard becomes the first retailer to offer onboard retail services on a Chinese-owned cruise ship since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Costa Cruises has announced the much-anticipated return of Costa Serena to service in Asia. Following two successful cruises between Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Costa Serena set sail today from the port of Busan in South Korea, with Nagasaki and Yatsushiro in Japan as its next destinations. This marks a significant milestone as the first outbound cruise to resume in South Korea after the lifting of travel restrictions.
